Payroll Manager

Confidential Careers; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 260,000 - 380,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Careers in Abu Dhabi seeks an experienced Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations across multiple business units and legal entities. You will ensure accurate, timely, and compliant processing while driving governance and process improvements.

Ideal candidates will have 10 years in payroll, at least 3 in leadership, and deep UAE regulatory knowledge, including WPS and labour law. Strong HRIS/Payroll system experience is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field.
• Professional certifications in payroll, finance or HR are advantageous.
• 10+ years of payroll experience with at least 3 years in leadership/management.
• Experience in large, multi-entity organizations and diversified groups.
• Strong knowledge of UAE payroll regulations, WPS, end-of-service benefits and labour law.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll across multiple units/entities.
• Ensure monthly payroll, final settlements, bonuses, overtime, and deductions are accurate.
• Oversee inputs, validations, calculations, and approvals.
• Ensure compliance with payroll policies and internal controls.
• Manage payroll systems, interfaces, and integrations with HRIS/Finance.
• Drive payroll automation and process improvements.
• Lead payroll system implementations and upgrades as needed.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Rewards and business leaders on payroll matters.
• Prepare payroll reports, dashboards, and MI.

Skills

Payroll leadership

UAE payroll regulations

WPS governance

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Business Administration

Payroll certifications (advantageous)

Tools

SAP SuccessFactors

SAP Payroll

Oracle HCM

Oracle Payroll

Workday

Job description

A leading Abu Dhabi-based diversified group is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead and oversee payroll operations across multiple business units and legal entities. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of payroll, managing payroll governance and controls, driving process improvements, and partnering with HR, Finance, and business stakeholders to ensure a seamless employee experience. This role is ideal for a payroll professional with strong leadership capabilities, extensive payroll operations expertise, and experience managing payroll within large, complex, multi-entity organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end payroll function across multiple business units and legal entities.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of monthly payroll, final settlements, bonuses, incentives, overtime, and employee deductions.
• Oversee payroll inputs, validations, calculations, and approvals.
• Ensure compliance with payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Manage payroll service delivery and ensure payroll accuracy and confidentiality.
• Ensure payroll compliance with UAE Labour Law and internal governance frameworks.
• Manage WPS submissions and payroll compliance requirements.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, employee benefits, gratuity, and leave provisions.
• Support internal and external payroll audits.
• Maintain payroll documentation, controls, and audit trails.
• Manage payroll systems, interfaces, and integrations with HRIS and Finance systems.
• Drive payroll automation and process optimization initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and employee experience.
• Lead payroll system implementations, upgrades, and enhancement projects when required.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Rewards, and business leaders on payroll-related matters.
• Resolve complex payroll queries and employee escalations.
• Provide payroll guidance and subject matter expertise to internal stakeholders.
• Ensure strong collaboration between payroll, HR operations, and finance functions.
• Prepare payroll reports, dashboards, and management information.
• Analyze payroll trends, workforce costs, and payroll variances.
• Support budgeting and workforce cost planning activities.
• Produce payroll reconciliations and financial reporting schedules.
• Lead, coach, and develop payroll team members.
• Establish service standards and performance measures for payroll operations.
• Build a culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.
• Professional certifications in Payroll, Finance, HR, or related disciplines are advantageous.
• 10 years of payroll experience with a minimum 3 years in a payroll leadership or management role.
• Proven experience managing payroll within large organizations, diversified groups, conglomerates, or multi-entity environments.
• Strong knowledge of UAE payroll regulations, WPS requirements, end-of-service benefits, and labour legislation.
• Experience managing payroll systems such as SAP SuccessFactors, SAP Payroll, Oracle HCM, Oracle Payroll, Workday, or similar platforms.
• Strong payroll controls, governance, and audit experience.
• Advanced Excel and payroll reporting capabilities.